Fire tongs



June 18, 1929. J, INZOFF 1.717.396

FIRE TONGS Filed Aug. 3, 1928 INVENTOR Jack Mingoff ATTORNEY BY Q .uuhsc;

Patented June 18, 1929.

JACK MINZOFF, or SUGAR PINE, CALIFORNIA.

FIRE TONGS.

Application filed August 3, 1928. Serial'No. 297,220.

This invention relates to tongs for handling hot articles and especially pieces of Wood, coal and the like, used in open household fire places or heating stoves.

Heretofore, as far as I am aware, all tongs constructed for this purpose have employed a pair of substantially parallel arms pivoted independently of each other andrequiring the use of both hands to manipulate the tongs for enabling the lumps of coal, etc., to be engaged and grasped. Such an arrangement makes the tongs awkward to use and it is hard to get a good grip on a lump held between the jaws unless the arms are grasped close to the jaws with the liablity of the hands of the operator being scorched'or burnt. Also with this construction it is impossible to turn the tongs through any great are as is necessary when desired to reverse or invert a lump of coal or the like whichhas been burnt only on one side, without taking afresh hold on the tongs.

The principal object of my invention'there' fore is to improve the construction of tongs of this general character so as to avoid the above inefficient and unsatisfactory operation by arranging the tong arms so that the tongs can be grasped, and the jaws properly moved to and from each other, by one hand only of the operator and at a considerable distance from the jaws.

By means of this construction there is no danger of the hand being scorched or burnt, and the tongs may be easily moved and turned in any direction and through a considerable are by said one hand while holding a lump firmly engaged with the jaws. At the same time the tongs are no longer or heavier than the ordinary implement of similar character.

A further object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims:

The figure on the drawing is a perspective view of my improved tongs, partly spread or open.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the.

figures 1 and 2 denote a pair of transversely separated overlapping arms pivoted together intermediate their ends as at 3, for scissorslike movement.

At one end the arms are formed with flat jaws 4, the fiat surfaces of which are positloned to engage each other and are parallel to the axis of the pivot. Beyond the pivot, the arm 2 is somewhat longer than the arm 1 and at its outer end is formed with a substantially semi-circular bend 5 which projects outwardly relative to the plane of the other arm. At its corresponding end the arm 1 is formed with a rigid ring or eye 6, which is bent to project away from the arm 2 and to lie in a transverse plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal plane of said arm 1. The portion 7 of the arm 2 adjacent the bend 5 is preferably spirally corrugated as shown and serves as the main handle engaged by the hand of the operator. The eye 6 is disposed relative to the length of this handle portion, and is of such size as to con-v veniently and comfortably receive the thumb of thehand engaged with the handleportion 7. In other words said eye 6 is located adjacent the inner end of the said handle portion. The bend 5, besides ii'nparting an ornamental appearance to the device forms a seat for the end of the hand, preventing the tongs from possibly slipping lengthwise out of the hand.

By means of this construction it willbe seen that a firm grip on one arm may be al.- ways had, while the other arm may be moved, so as to move the aws to or from each other, by a normal movement of the thumb to and from the hand. I Since this digit naturally has a greater strength than any other one member of the hand, ample gripping strength and pressure on the jaws may always be obtained. Since the tongs are held solely by one hand, they can be easily turned in any direction by a corresponding movement of the wrist, without slackening the pressure or letting go of any piece held between the jaws.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the inventionas set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A tongs comprising a pair of arms pivoted together intermediate their ends, cooperating jaws on the arms at one end a handle to fit the palm of a hand formed on one arm at the other end and a member for engagement with a digit of the hand, formed on the corresponding end of the other arm.

2. A tongs comprising a pair of arms pivoted together intermediate their ends, eooperating jaws on the arms at one end, a handle to fit the palm of a hand formed on one arm at the other end, and an eye memher for engagement with the thumb of the hand formed on the corresponding end of the 7 other arm.

3. A tongs comprising a pair of arms pivoted together intermediate their ends, cooperating jaws on the arms at one end, a handle to fit the palm of a hand formed as a longitudinal portion ,ofone arm at the other end thereof, and an eye for engagement with the thumb of the hand formed on the corresponding end of the other arm and disposed adjacent the end of the handle closest to the pivot.

4. A structure as in claim 3, in which said eye projects away from the handle and lies in a transverse plane substantially at right angles to the arm on which it is mounted.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

JACK MINZOFF. 

